"Where were you, Laura Kassandra?" My dad asked as I step inside the house. I tried my best not to roll my eyes since he's my dad, of course.

"Kumain lang po ako sa labas.." I said then pass by him walking towards the stairs.

"Bakit hindi ka nag-paalam?" I stopped walking, sighing and rolling my eyes. I faced dad and sigh once again.

"Nag-paalam po ako kay lola." I replied getting out of interest talking.

"It's almost 7pm, Kassandra! Paano kung mapahamak ka sa labas?!" Dad raised his voice, I looked away and took a deep breath.

"I was with a friend dad.." I replied and I saw dad's brows furrowed.

"Do I know that friend of yours? Bakit hindi mo muna pinapasok para makilala ko siya?" Dad asked, I started to get annoyed.

"Dad, just like what you said, it's getting late. So hindi ko na siya pinapasok. He's a decent person okay?" I said getting irritated. I badly want to go to my room.Clean myself then sleep.

"He? You are with a guy Kassandra? Is he your-

"No dad, he's not my boyfriend. Here we go again.." I just can't help but to roll my eyes.

"Then why don't you introduce him to us?" He asked walking closer towards me.

"There's no reason for me to introduce him to you dad. I told you, he's just a friend, okay?" I said raising my voice a bit.

Why can't he just let me go to my room?! Why does he have to ask all those questions?! As if like he really cares!

I message my temper "Just.. just let me go to my room dad. I want to rest.." I said and face my back to him. I took the first three steps when I stopped.

"I'm not gonna eat, I'm full. I'm going straight to bed.." I said then started taking the steps again.

I arrived in front of my room and twisted the knob. As I entered I closed the door and lock it not wanting anyone to interfere or bother me.

I walked towards my bed dropping my bag on the ground. I sat on the edge of my bed, calming myself down.

After he didn't pick me up, after ditching me, making me wait there, alone. If he just texted me early that he can't make it I would have commute with my friends. But no, he gave me false hope! Making me feel excited for at least a small amount but not making it at all.

I lay down my feet still hanging at the edge. I put my hands at my stomach and sigh. Taking a deep breaths.

If mom is just here, all of this wouldn't happen. I would be very excited to go home. Because I know she'll be greeting me. But lola is there, it's not that the effort she's doing isn't enough. But you know, as a girl you'll really find and find that certain love  from your mom.

I tried hard not to cry.

I can't cry, I don't cry. Crying doesn't make anything better. Crying doesn't solve anything. If there's a problem go find a solution but don't cry. Crying will just make everything worse.

I stand up and went to my closet to grab a simple pair of pajamas. I grab my shower towel and entered the shower to have a half bath. As I finished I brushed my teeth. And did some skin care, it's not really a routine but those are basically some skin cares mom put in her packages.

So I had no choice to use it. It's from mom after all. She puts effort to buy and put that in her packages. I looked at my reflection in the mirror.

"Keep it together, Laura." I talked to myself, turning of the lights from my dresser.

I walked towards my working table. Opening my laptop and turning it on. While waiting I looked at the clocked. It's almost 8pm. I'm sure mom will call any moment soon.

I decided to grab my notebooks looking if there's a schoolwork or an assignment. Gladly it was only the English essay that Ali finished already. I grab some yellow pad paper and started doing some drafts while waiting for mom's call.

Around 8:15pm mom called. So I had to stop what I'm doing. I answered the call and search for my earphones. When I found one I immediately plug it in so mom and I can have a good conversation.

"Hey mom!" I greeted waving my hands, smiling.

[Hi anak, kumusta naman ang araw mo, Kass?] mom asked from the other line.

I pout a little thinking of my highlight of the day.

"Well.. nothing much happened mom, today is just an ordinary day." I said and mom nodded. Gladly the internet connection right now is great so I can clearly see mom.

[Kass, I passed by a store this afternoon. Then I got you some stuffs!] Mom excitedly say searching from the plastic bags beside her. I just stay there watching her get some stuffs.

[Look anak oh, isn't this cute? And this too.] she showed me some off shoulders that are printed with flowers.

"Yes Mom, it looks nice." I said smiling, mom put down the blouses then showed me a box.

[What do you think about this sneakers, anak?] She asked showing me another pair of shoes

My eyes widened realizing it was a limited edition sneakers.

"Mom.. that is expensive." I said not believing that mom just got me a limited edition sneakers.

[It's for you naman anak. Kaya nga ako nag tatrabaho dito para mai-bigay ko sayo lahat ng mga kailangan mo. Kung hindi sayo, kanino ko gagastusin ang pera na sine-sweldo ko?] mom asked, she has a point tho. I'm an only child that's why.

"Okay mom.. thank you po sa lahat." I said giving mom a genuine smile. Mom put down the box of shoes and went closer to the screen.

[It's nothing anak, basta para sayo. Hangga't kaya ni mommy, ibibigay ko sa Kassandra ko.] Mom said, I can't help but to get emotional. I sniff not wanting to cry in front of mom.

"How about you mom? How was your day?" I asked her trying to recover from the a bit emotional conversation

Mom smiled [Well, you know.. same old, same old things. Taking care of patients. That's my job..] She replied chuckling a bit making me chuckle as well. My mom is a nurse and she love her job. Specially when she's taking care of kids.

I accidentally glance at the yellow pad paper I'm doing a while ago. I hissed a little thinking of things I should put in my essay.

[Are you doing some homework ba anak?] mom asked and I slowly nodded.

[Mom's gonna go na anak, I'll be preparing for my work na. Goodnight! Love you.] She said giving flying kisses through the screen. I chuckled and sent her back some.

We ended the call and I sigh.. pulling the yellow pad closer to me again. I read it once again just like what I do every time I do essays. I add some finishing touches to it before examining it. The paper looks fine, the handwriting looks fine. This is fine. I put back the papers inside my attaché case. I fix my stuffs such as my notebooks for tomorrow morning.

When I finished fixing my things and making some a little cleaning session inside my room. I grab my phone and snuggle on bed. I inhale in scent of my bed sheet and pillow case.

Lavender, just how I like it. I opened my Messenger app to look at our group chat. I saw how Gwen and Tobi are non stop chatting while there's some chats from Ali and Lory as well.

From Emory the Emo Queen👸👑🙌:
Kanina habang nag ba-bike ako pauwi. May nakita akong aso na magkadikit ang puwet.

I bursted into laughter as I read Tobi's message. Aren't dogs who basically do that are actually mating?

From Gwen ver.2.0:
HAHAHAH sana naki sali ka.

I chuckled while reading my friends messages. This group chat is basically just a mess.

From •Avery not Every•:
Threesome ganun? Middle si Tobi?

From Aliparot:
Pwede naman, si Tobi sa pagitan nung dalawang aso.

I started laughing silently while waiting for another message. It's actually fun just reading their messages. Not replying or talking. Ali call me sometimes a 'seener' which I don't deny at all.

From Aliparot:
Si @Lauriat Kassandra seener nanaman lang. Ano ka yung crush ko? Chinat ko ng 9am, reply 1:30pm!Bwiset!

I bursted into laughter as Ali started talking about her trash crush once again. That boy doesn't give a thing to Ali. Like, he would just ignore her. Then there's Ali who is always being positive thinker giving herself false hope that one day he will love her the way she did.

From Lauriat Kassandra:
I have nothing to say naman eh.. so I'll just read.

I hit send and waited for them to read it..

From Aliparot:
Kahit ano na sabihin mo, halimbawa.. anong percent ng sugar na favorite mo sa milktea. Ganun! Kaya ako magaling sa social things ehh.. ang bilis ko maka-isip ng topic.

I chuckled and shook my head typing something to reply about that.

From Lauriat Kassandra:
Bukod sa mga ganiyan mo Ali? Saan ka pa magaling?

From •Avery not Every•:
Humarot.

I started laughing as Lory immediately replied that to my question. Then Ali started typing..

From Aliparot:
May kulang.. maging marupok. That word just describe my whole existence.

I still haven't recover from Lory's reply when I started laughing once again because of Ali's chat.

From Lauriat Kassandra:
I'm getting sleepy na, goodnight!

From •Avery not Every•:
Goodnight bitch! Love you!

From Aliparot:
Goodnight bish! Nawa'y mapanaginipan mo ang kagandahan ko.

From Gwen ver.2.0:
Gaga! Wala ka nun!

From Aliparot:
Ulol!

From Emory The Emo Queen👸👑🙌:
Goodnight bitch!

I chuckled before turning off my phone and plugging in its charger. Turning off my lampshade then drifting into dreamland.

-

I woke up around 5:30am, which is good since I won't be late for today. I fix my bed, do some morning stretch and took a bath. Gladly now I can enjoy bath and not rush it out. I estimated the time I took a bath and it turns out it was almost 25 minutes.

So by 6am, I'm done taking a bath, putting on my uniform and fixing myself. By 6:15 lola started knocking at my door. I shouted that I'm ready before picking up my bag and walking toward my door. But to my surprise it was dad who is knocking at my door.

"Good morning.. breakfast is ready na sa baba.." Fad said and I nodded, closing my door behind me before walking downstairs.

Just like usual, lola is preparing for breakfast. I went to my seat and put down my bag. I put some rice and hotdogs at my plate before digging in.

I felt dad walked to his seat, pull it before sitting down. But I didn't spare a glance at him. They started eating silently.

Until I'm halfway through my food when dad suddenly speak.

"I will be picking you up at your lunch break." Dad said and I just nodded..

"I promise I'll make it this time.." He said and I nodded still not glancing at him..

I hear him sigh and do some things that I didn't bother looking. Until suddenly money was already at the side of my arm.

I looked up and my brows furrowed confused about it.

"What's this?" I asked confused..dad smiled at me.

"Allowance..for today.." He said and I confusedly looked at the one thousand pesos at the table.

"I don't need it.." I said and continue eating..

"I still have my allowance.." I added looking directly at the opposite side..

"Then, advance.. please take it Kassandra." Dad pleaded, I sigh looking at dad's direction then looking down at the money.

"Fine.." I said picking up the one thousand pesos, crouching down to get my wallet inside my bag and put he money inside.

I stared at my wallet, I still have money then dad gave me a thousand? Well, i can just ask my friends if they want to eat. Maybe by weekend when dad already leave.

We finished eating and dad told me he will send me to school. So while he's getting ready I sat down at our sofa searching through my social media while listening to the television. Few minutes dad arrived and we head outside the house.

Getting inside the car the driving off. Dad would talk to me inside the car but I would just nod my head looking at my phone. I'm paying attention to him somehow but it's just I'm not interested at all.

We arrived in front of our school and I jumped out the car waving goodbye to dad but not looking at him. While I'm silently walking someone popped out of nowhere in front of me.

"H-Hi.. Laura." A grade 12 student said.. I shyly wave my hand and step back a little.

"Para sayo nga pala." He handed me a box of chocolate then a Rose.

I accepted it and stared at the chocolate, Ferrero Roche, nice choice kuya. I don't like it.

"Thank you po." I said and started walking again.. he chased me and stopped in front of me blocking my way..

"Wait.. can I have your number please?" He asked, I blow a late amount of air.

"Kuya, I don't have much time to talk po, not being rude but I have to go na po. Thank you po sa chocolates and flowers.." I said and moving to the other side to pass by him.

I'm done with this, why does my seniors would always block me while I'm walking to give things to me. Like..ugh! It's sometimes make me annoyed like this one. I'm getting uncomfortable when they would chase me and ask for my number which I don't give to anyone. Except my friends who doesn't even text me. Except Ali when she run out of Data but have a cellphone load.

I entered the classroom, grumpily walking to my seat before aggressively dropping my bag at my seat then putting down the chocolates and rose. And dropped myself on my chair.

"Let me guess.. another grade 11 senior of ours gave you those?" Ali asked leaning on her hand while looking at me who's basically glaring at nothing.

"Change the grade level, higher." I said and her eyes widened..

"Oh my! Your new admirer is from grade twelve?!Nag le-level up Laura! Iba ka talaga! Baka sa susunod college student na from SLSU ang mang ligaw sayo.." Ahe joked and I rolled my eyes. I looked at the chocolate and gave it to her..

She stopped laughing "What's this?" She confusedly asked.

"Ayaw mo?" I asked and her eyes widened

"I-I mean.. I like Ferrero.. but isn't that like for you?" She asked and I shook my head..

"May peanuts 'yan. I don't like peanuts sa chocolate.." I replied still glaring at in front.

"Come on Laura, that senior of ours basically saved up for that then ibibigay mo lang sa akin? The peanuts in there is not even that much.. just like a sprinkle  of peanuts." he said and I shook my head..

"It's still peanuts in chocolates, if you don't like it give it to Lory or Gwen. Kahit sino sa kanila, I know they will like it.." I said seriously, she started shaking her head.

"I'll just give them each, I like this." She said and I smirk knowing she will keep it.

Just like what Ali said, when our friends started coming she would give them chocolates. If they asked where does she get it ,she would reply that she bought it making me chuckle a bit. She doesn't even look like she's lying at all. She still looks natural even she's lying.

Cause that's Ali.

Our class started and I just sat there listening. The the truth is that I'm actually not in the mood. I just lean my head at my hand then look at the board.

When our two period ended it means it's recess. Me and my friend decided just to buy at the canteen then bring it to our classroom. So as we entered the classroom coming back from the canteen we created  a circle with our chairs so we can talk.

But basically it was only them talking, I would be laughing sometimes and joining them but I'm mostly on my phone. While eating some chips I got from the canteen.

We realized that our English teacher is already 30 minutes late. So we assume that the teacher isn't coming today so we keep cool and decided to stay like that for the whole hour.

I saw an advertisement from Instagram about a cake. I continue to scroll until something came up to my mind.

I immediately go through my contacts searching for his number. When I saw his callers ID which I put Jiro as his name. I immediately tapped on it, but the moment my keyboard flashed on my screen waiting for myself to type something to text him, I just froze. I don't know what to say at all.

If I texted him,would he even reply? I will look desperate if I spam him with messages if he doesn't reply. Does he have a mobile load? So he can reply?

I look around my friend before sending him a load. As I saw that the load is already sent to him I stared at it. Not knowing what to do for the second time.

I took a deep breath before typing a simple 'Hi' because that's what every conversation starts, right?

After I hit send, I turn off my phone and put it down listening at Gwen and Jax talking. After few minutes I got startled when my phone suddenly beeped. I immediately pick it up and look if it's him or his reply.

My mouth turn into a little pout as I read his text.

From Jiro:
Thanks for the load, I'll use it only for you, in class rn, gtg, bye.

My expression dropped, I put down my phone and pouted a little leaning on the arm rest of my chair.
He's busy but I bothered him by texting. Now you look like desperate Laura.

Then his reply popped up in my head again. Did he just say he will only use the load I sent him for me?!
The side of my lips rise a bit, trying hard not to smile cause they might notice it.

I pursed my lips thinking and thinking over again about it.

Keep yourself together, Laura!

"Napapa-ano ka Laura?" I snapped my head up looking at Gwen surprised.

"Wala.. wala naman akong ginagawa ehh.." I defended putting my phone down.

"Naku! May ka chat 'yan! Sino ha?! Yun na bang grade 11 na binigyan ka ng malaking Cadbury last week?" Lory teased, I rolled my eyes and shook my head.

"Naku! Deny ka pa man!" Jax joked and I chuckled sarcastically.

"No, I'm not denying it, wala talaga.." I said leaning on my chair.

We became silent looking at each other, as if Gwen and Ali we're talking using their eyes. It wasn't an awkward silence. Just silence.

Then Tobi suddenly speak..

"If wala, eh sino 'tong nag text sayo?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~•3•